DegreePlanet.com. College degrees are granted when you’ve earned the number of credit hours an institution has designated for that particular program. If you want to earn your associates degree in less time, you can enroll in accelerated classes or take your classes online. Nursing requires a tremendous level of commitment. For you, a lot of your considerations revolve around one simple question: Is a marketing degree worth it? Especially if you get it from a community college where the cost will be cheaper than going straight through to get your Bachelors at an university. Considering an associate’s degree usually takes 2 years or less to complete, gaining this credential may well be worth your while. In addition, tuition for Associate’s programs is significantly cheaper than that for Bachelor's degree—sometimes as much as 50% less. There are several benefits to having an associate’s degree. If you’re in this group, Ranstrom said, you might benefit from an associate degree in liberal arts or an associate degree in business. [2021 Guide]. If you attend a public college with in-state tuition, you will likely pay around $3,500 per year. In the second group of students well suited to an associate degree are those who have already begun their career and know what they need to advance, or who just have a very clear vision of their future. With an average salary of $52,830 (Bureau of Labor Statistics), an associate degree in accounting can help you launch a career in this important field. Others will tell you a degree is a total waste of time. On the other hand, let’s say you are not the college type (or in your case, already have a degree), so you want to learn the formal culinary skills and get into the culinary workforce as quickly as possible. It only takes two years to earn one, so full-time students are out of the job market for a shorter period of time than they would be while earning a Bachelor’' degree. If you would rather not spend four years in college pursuing a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree may be a great alternative. Nursing, several computer majors, many health tech programs, accounting, tech-ed programs, and some others can lead directly into good jobs. Associate degrees in fields like accounting, business administration, and fashion merchandising also lead to entry-level jobs paying more than $30,000 with significant growth opportunities. A bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits and four years to complete. An associate’s degree can help you enter the job market earlier, with smaller or no student loan debt, and earn a reasonably good salary. There are a variety of fields you can work in with an associate’s degree including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, legal services, aviation, art and design, culinary arts, hospitality, nursing, child care, liberal arts, and business administration. You have specific skills, career goals, and interests. Whatever your chosen field is, Ranstrom said, there are steps you can take before, during, and after earning an associate degree that can help you reach your goals: So, is an associate degree worth it? You will likely earn less than someone with a bachelor’s degree, and may lack specialized learning, especially in professional fields such as medicine and law. You might help in hiring and training. Yes, an associate’s degree is worth it for many students. Though an associate degree may not carry the same weight as a 4 year degree, it qualifies you for entry-level jobs in many well-paying sectors in half the time. They were also more likely to be able to find a job at all. Courses within a two-year program can fill gaps in your education and give you a chance to raise your GPA before applying to a competitive bachelor’s program. It can help you to zero in on career interests if you’re initially unsure. Yes, an associate’s degree is worth it for many students. This saves a lot of time and money than a bachelor's degree. Get prepared for your next steps . Generally, associate degrees require 60 credits of coursework, which translates to 20 college courses. With associate degree jobs paying a very reasonable salary, it’s easy to see why so many students opt for a 2 year degree. According to the Census Bureau, associate degree holders earn around $1.6 million during their careers. Plus, there are 34% more job opportunities for those with associate degrees as compared to high school graduates. Associate degrees are flexible, low cost, and can be completed in two years or less. Yes, an Associates Degree in Accounting is worth it for many students. If the job you want doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree qualification, an associate’s degree may be a suitable path. If you’re considering advancing your education, you might wonder what degree best matches your plans for the future. [2021 Guide], Network and Computer Systems Administrators, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, 20 Best Online Masters in Data Analytics [2021 Guide], What Can You Do With a Masters in Data Analytics? “Not all careers require a bachelor’s degree or higher,” Ranstrom said, adding that many growing fields "only require an associate degree to break in, and the return on investment is higher.”. Another advantage with associate’s degrees is that since they can be completed in 2 years, you start earning earlier. An Associates Degree is better than no degree, but no match for a Bachelors in the eye of employees. Completing an associates degree only takes two years, whereas a regular bachelor’s degree program takes four years to complete. These majors offer a good grounding for a future career or further education while also giving students a chance to explore. “Sometimes when we have more formalized education, it provides us the perspective to look at things differently,” Ranstrom said. With the earnings and opportunities it offers and the relatively small commitment of time and money it demands… Common accounting careers include accountant, bookkeeper, auditing clerk, and accounting specialist. CLEVELAND, Ohio - A two-year associate of arts degree from a community college rarely benefits graduates unless they go on to earn a four-year degree, according to a new study. According to the BLS, people with associate degrees have better prospects for employment and earnings than those who have taken some college courses but haven't received a degree. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. That means there are a number of factors to consider in thinking about whether an associate degree is right for you. Being a shorter, more affordable, and swifter path to employment than a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degrees open up a comprehensive and varied range of vistas. An associate’s degree requires 60 credits and two years to complete. But is an Associate's degree really worth it—and will it get you ahead in the job market? The average IT associate degree salary is $37,900 annually with a mid-career annual salary of $74,500. Mind you, I was a non-traditional student at this time and I was also going to college full time. [2021 Guide], Going Back to College [2021 Ultimate Guide], Lower earnings than bachelor’s degree holders, Enter the job market ahead of bachelor’s degree holders, Compete for some of the same jobs as bachelor’s degree holders, May take longer to attain managerial positions, You’re job-ready and can transfer credits to bachelor’s program (if desired), Not suitable if you want to pursue a professional degree. In today’s educational landscape, instruction has many forms. In many cases, an associate degree can do double duty, demonstrating skills to an employer while also offering a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree. The BBC's Katty Kay asks if an American degree is worth it. First, if you are planning to get a four-year degree, than any degree in your chosen field is great. An associate degree in Business Management could help you prepare you for a variety of jobs in the business sector including: Human Resources Assistants —As an HR assistant, you would help process employee paperwork, and answer questions about company rules and policies. Associate’s degrees usually prepare you for a specific career. As you talk with people you’ll find some with strong opinions on the matter– and it’s always worth taking opinions with a grain of salt… Some will insist you’ve got to have a two-year HVAC degree under your belt to get anywhere in the business. All Rights Reserved. 145 views But, like most fields, the field of education continuously evolves as we develop new technologies and new educational theories of practice to discern the most effective ways to help learners succeed. Is an associate’s degree worth it? Associate’s degrees take 2 years to complete and you will receive a well-rounded academic experience with a concentration in your chosen field of study. At most colleges, the majority of your credits will be general education credits required of all students. Additionally, the students can continue education later, if they want to obtain a bachelor’s degree. ... You may be wondering if it’s better for you to pursue a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in marketing. Is An Associate’s Degree Worth It? It’s your individual circumstances that will determine whether the associate’s degree in business is the best way for you to go when considering all three of these academic options. You also have a wider employment pool to select from as compared to high/trade school diploma holders. “You might find your passion along the way.”. If you didn’t do quite as well in high school as you now realize you could have, Ranstrom said, an associate degree program can also offer a way to make up for lost time. When you want to enhance your skills, but are unwilling or unable to take 4 years to get your degree, an associate’s degree is a good option. Sure, there are several jobs available to you with your high school … It is definitely worth it to get an Associates degree before moving on to the Bachelors level. Yes, earning your associate’s degree in computer science is worth it. Lindsey Ranstrom, a career advisor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), said people who can benefit the most from an associate degree fall into two camps: those who are still exploring their options, and those who have a definite game plan and don’t want to waste any time. Bacholer's tend to be either too general (Sociology, Art) or designed to get you into grad school (accounting, engineering). To help you answer that, we used real-time job analysis software to examine more than 200,000 marketing job postings from the past year. According to a University of Hawaii study, associate degree graduates earn around $400,000 more during their careers than those with just a high school diploma. With an average salary of $52,830 (Bureau of Labor Statistics), an associate’s in criminal justice can prepare you for careers as a police officer, probation officer, corrections officer, security officer, or paralegal. It is a great option if you want to start working early, without being burdened by large and looming student loan debt. Of course, college isn’t just about increasing your earnings potential. Computer Science is a degree path that holds a lot of weight in 2020. It is possible for IT degree salary to go over an annual salary of $100,000. Most associate degree programs are 60 credit hours. An associate’s degree is an intermediate step between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2018 workers with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $862, compared with just $730 for people with a high school diploma alone. It is definitely worth it to get an Associates degree before moving on to the Bachelors level. In addition, tuition for Associate’s programs is significantly cheaper than that for Bachelor's degree—sometimes as much as 50% less. The three most common types of associate’s degrees are: If desired, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree program at a later stage. Clearly, an associate’s degree is worthwhile. After graduation, you could be making an average of $52,830 per year (Bureau of … An associate degree can offer a particularly good return on investment (ROI), since the cost of obtaining the degree is significantly less than a bachelor's degree, and the job opportunities can be … You will need to assess whether an associates degree in business is “worth it” as you look at your chosen field and decide what educational path will be most likely to help you to get ahead. After graduation, you could be earning $52,830 (Bureau of Labor Statistics) per year, depending on the industry you enter. Your salary will depend on many things such as the field you choose, your experience, and your location. Let look at this form the purpose people use Associate degrees and Community Colleges in general. Nowhere in the world does it cost as much to go to university as it does in the US. You have specific skills, career goals, and interests. If you’re considering going back to school to start or to finish a degree, you may be wondering how online college classes actually work. Here are some profitable jobs you can get with your associates degree. If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree later, you can fast-track it and finish it in 2 years instead of 4 years when you earn an accredited degree. Follow him on Twitter @daviespete or connect on LinkedIn. Additional Resource: Best Value Schools -Top 50 Affordable Small Colleges for a Business Administration Degree. You can view the associate’s degree as a good starting point to launch your career when you are unable to commit four years to a bachelor’s program. It takes most students 2 years to complete an associates degree. At the same time, if you end up stopping or pausing your educational career after finishing the 2-year degree, it will provide benefits that you wouldn’t get if you entered a bachelor’s program and then took a break halfway through earning your degree. Here are a few things I’ve learned from their work: 1. The remaining credit hours can be used for your major field of study, as well as elective courses. An associate degree can make a huge impact on your life and it can be earned with 2 years of education. workers with an associate degree had median weekly earnings of $862, aren’t sure what education or career path they ultimately want to follow, An associate degree is relatively affordable. Earning an associate’s degree can help prepare you for a high paying job in a wide range of professions. The answer depends on the expectations of your industry—as well as on what other job applicants are doing. On the flip side, associate’s degrees may not prepare you for certain types of employment. An Associates Degree is definitely worth it. What’s more expensive than going to college? Possible careers with an associate’s degree will vary in terms of the type of associate’s degree, and the subject you major in. Home » Is An Associate’s Degree Worth It? This maybe be useful if you plan to go to a university that is expensive, you can complete two years at a less expensive community college and then transfer. Not all of them, teaching for example is a useful bachelors. Pete Davies is a marketing and communications director in higher education. An associate degree can provide students with a lot of opportunities, but community college graduates should still be aware that perceptions about the quality of an associate degree … For the average U.S. worker, there’s a clear benefit to getting a 2-year associate degree. Mind you, I was a non-traditional student at this time and I was also going to college full time. Ranstrom said some other fields, like construction or electrical work, don’t necessarily require formal education beyond high school, but there may still be advantages to getting an associate degree. How can you tell if it makes sense to pursue an associate degree? Jobs may be easier to find with the extra two years of education, and it may be easier to move up the career ladders in these industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has given some information on the mid career salary for common IT … The paper found that only 14% of those who entered an associates' degree in a liberal arts program had completed a bachelor's degree six years later. An associate’s degree can be seen as complementary to the bachelor’s degree, and it is more economically viable, according to academic and economic experts. An Associate’s degree is the fastest way to start a career in the field of accounting, so if time or money is an issue this may be the best way to go. So, is an associate degree worth it? It’s also about satisfying your curiosity, becoming a more well-rounded person and developing expertise in an area you care about. If you wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree later on, you may be able to transfer some credits to the degree program. In those cases, a certificate is probably a better option. This enables you to get valuable experience and time in the field so that you can gain more academic qualifications whenever they’re required at different stages in your career. The associate’s degree in business is worth it for everyone who is eager to get into the workforce and work on entry-level jobs with an emphasis on personal enhancement and advancement. That’s half the academic requirements of a bachelor’s degree. | Institute of Medical and Business Careers Every year, more than 5 million students are enrolled in two-year college programs. Deciding between and associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree will depend on your desired career path, tuition cost, and field of study. Is It Worth Getting an Associates Degree in Computer Science? That’s over $400,000 more than those who just hold a high school diploma! A bachelor’s degree is even more beneficial, and an MBA even more so. Weighing the pros and cons of an associate’s degree depends on your career goals. Is getting an associates degree worth it? With the earnings and opportunities it offers and the relatively small commitment of time and money it demands, the answer for many students is a definite yes. Plus, earning an associate’s degree can qualify you for a wide-range of jobs in well-paying sectors from aviation to healthcare. With an associate degree in hand, you may also want to consider advancing to a bachelor's degree. Just as with any kind of degree, the financial benefit of earning an associate degree depends on what you choose to study. Some companies may prefer you to have a bachelor’s degree when applying for these jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary of an associates degree holder is $52,830. After graduation, you could be earning $52,830 (Bureau of Labor Statistics) per year, depending on the industry you enter. Many students in associate’s degree programs may already be working, so programs are flexible and industry-specific. There are several majors where you can get a decent job that pays well with an Associates. These are the guys that might be struggling a bit to think outside the box. Yes, an Associate Degree in Business Is Worth It (And Here's Why!) A large number of universities now offer 8 week online courses which allow you to complete each class in half the time. Associate’s degrees online or on campus are quick, convenient, and affordable, but use this guide to weigh the pros and cons to get a clear understanding of all that it involves. This gives you a jump-start on those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is relatively affordable, and if you choose to go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you’re already halfway there. Especially if you get it from a community college where the cost will be cheaper than going straight through to get your Bachelors at an university. 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